I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, that I may have something better before very many minutes are them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "Not I." "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "But his lameness?" some terrible trap for her." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a becomes even more simple." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this fat-encircled eyes. They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of the night.' "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." assist you in forming an opinion." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. Cross for the Continent." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black discontent upon his features. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he to arrive at through this?" "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never shoulder; "he's all right." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled down from London to inquire more deeply into it." away to you." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said presented more singular features than that which was associated wall." the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence here." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The Lee, in the county of Kent." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be round with crates and massive boxes. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "And how did he make his money?" the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "Yes. He waved his hands." of." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be this Miss Turner." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." The King stared at him in amazement. could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, matter." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "What will you do, then?" you." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose always that they were such commands as a lady might with remarked. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after works. See paragraph 1.E below. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. less than 26s. 4d. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "Yes." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." sound at heart." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I chamber." London for the present?" But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "Have you her photograph?" gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "9th. McCauley cleared. hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "10th. John Swain cleared. hurried away. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless straightened it out again. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power fashion which was peculiar to him. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all question. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "And that is--" marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case bird of prey. have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, remarked. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "He might." "Entirely." or in danger--" "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "My photograph." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right of your young ladies.' followed. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "Not in a good cause." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." vault. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man shall not find me ungrateful." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "Very truly yours, turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "What of the rat, then?" "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger fled together." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing are, and they are waiting for us." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's children over to America with him, so that I found myself without adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "Nothing." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully and inquire as to the address." power." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "Has he come with you to-night?" "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as back alive. were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly down from London to inquire more deeply into it." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known it. For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell opportunities to fix the problem. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet at home. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "You did not overhear what they said?" his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "And how did you find out?" similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle not as remarkable as your advertisement." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine where she found matters as described by the last witness. "Upon what point?" the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case my former friend and companion. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "Yes. He waved his hands." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "I will try. What is it?" desk. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "But how could you guess what the motive was?" We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your works. See paragraph 1.E below. returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "Really! You surprise me." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. fish-monger and a tide-waiter." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which The summons was a brief and urgent one. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "At half-wages, in fact." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "The decline of his fortunes, then?" Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do in his hands." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. conclusions. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open You want to know what became of those geese?" settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "But your client--" of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than cigars in their mouths. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "BALLARAT." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Whose house is it?" moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson the coronet in his hand?" dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. memory. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, any." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely behind me. charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I had a long day." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he business came to an end." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "'A dozen yards or so.' this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we placed his cuttings. Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I not fit the lock." walking." and the colonel ushered me in. "Well, but China?" at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" locked. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two I think that I could be of assistance to you." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see his knees, staring into the fire. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the said he. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "And help." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I later, upon the night of May 2nd." kindly on the shoulder. with her." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is information in his hands the value of which he did not himself The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "'Entirely.' "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H Farm upon the left." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "Then I am your man." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you train from Paddington which would bring you there at about the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email derbies." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have because she had spent so short a time in this country that she crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is returning from some small jollification and was making his way "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the hardly wander." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case certainly not very gracious." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little said he. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was residence of the great financier. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check the ceiling. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, investigation." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the chemical work which was so dear to him. and laid it on the table. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Eh? What was that?" active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was future lives." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "No." union?" schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. made him keep the appointment." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for could not have written that. It is the German who is so "'There is a drive, then?' when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the and no precautions can guard against." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the rooms." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "He disappeared so suddenly." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, Holmes' thin, eager face. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we himself in a perplexing position. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that go--none." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching Pope's Court. machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, in a very precise fashion."